Integration of Software Synths with Orchestral Samples

[Jerry Gerber]

I've received many comments and questions about how I integrate software synthesis, with the many arpeggiation, filtering, envelope and sync-to-tempo options with virtual orchestral instruments.

When orchestrating a passage that contains a synth timbre, listen closely to the harmonic pattern and/or the rhythmic pattern that is being expressed in the arpeggiation sequence or filtering. This information can give you both melodic and harmonic clues as to how to proceed with orchestration.

Also, it is very common with many synth timbres that the attack times can be very fast, faster than many acoustic instruments are capable of. The solution is to simply delay the entire synth track by X number of milliseconds or ticks (division of quarter notes into 480,. 960, etc.) so that the synths and the samples have better coordination with their attacks.

Measures 45-65 demonstrates some of these techniques:

Example

Jerry

 

[InstrEd]

Thanks for the example Jerry. Much appreciated.